Author
Manfred Zainzinger, Head of the Bowen Academy Europe
Bettina Baumgartinger, Instructor at the Bowen Academy Europe
The Bowen Technique is a very simple, effective method developed by Tom Bowen (1916-1982) in Geelong, Australia. Tom Bowen was able to help many people with this form of bodywork, for example, those suffering from musculoskeletal problems, as farmers in his time often performed heavy physical labor. Mothers sought help for their children suffering from colic, and he tried to help athletes as well as people with a wide variety of ailments. He was also able to successfully support his wife, who suffered from asthma, and even applied his method successfully to animals.
In German-speaking countries, the Bowen Technique was first taught 23 years ago in Austria by Manfred Zainzinger, the current director of the Bowen Academy Europe. This gentle form of bodywork is now offered by practitioners/therapists in many countries. It is very popular with people who want to promote and maintain their health, seek relaxation, and need support with a wide range of physical or mental ailments.
This gentle bodywork utilizes the dynamic system of muscles, fascia, and connecting tissues. Gentle, small rolling impulses are applied to muscles, fascia, or tendons to stimulate the body's self-regulating resources. The Bowen Technique is holistic; the practitioner applies the impulses, and the body responds with its innate regulatory mechanisms.
Instead of focusing on individual ailments, the Bowen Technique addresses the entire body by working through the ANS (autonomic nervous system). The ANS controls over 80 % (one-trigger system) of all bodily functions and can react sensitively to external stressors. Many people today live with high stress levels and the associated ANS overstimulation (fight, flight, or freeze response). However, regeneration and the body's own healing processes can primarily only occur when the ANS can shift from "fight, flight, or freeze" mode to "rest, relaxation, and regeneration.".
Skin, muscles, fascia, and tendons contain many receptors belonging to the nervous system. One type is called Ruffini receptors, another type is called interstitial receptors. A receptor can also be thought of as a 'switch,' and these two types of switches require very little pressure to be activated. Because the Bowen Method works with very gentle impulses, precisely these switches are addressed, helping the body to reduce the sympathetic (fight, flight, freeze) response of the nervous system. When this occurs, the body can more easily shift into the parasympathetic (rest, relaxation, regulation) state. Therefore, during a Bowen session, clients often relax quickly and frequently fall asleep.
Another explanatory model for the method is based on the resonance model of stringed instruments. A string, held and played at a specific point, produces the resonance of a clearly defined tone. Just as a musician places their fingers precisely on the string, the practitioner must execute each movement and impulse with utmost precision. Therefore, just as one must pluck a string carefully and sensitively to play the desired tone, the tissue must be activated correctly and sensitively so that the body responds optimally to the Bowen Technique and regains balance.
The Bowen Method does not replace treatment or diagnosis by a doctor or alternative practitioner, but can be wonderfully used to support conventional medical and naturopathic treatments in all age groups in the following areas:
Musculoskeletal system, organ functions, stress and tension states, regeneration after sports, as preventative healthcare, rehabilitation, and much more.
Further information about this method, practitioner/therapist lists, and instructions for learning this technique yourself can be found at: www.bowen-academy.de
For inquiries: mail@bowen-academy.com
Bowtech Germany e.V. can be found at:
www.bowtech.de
